Wootten re-elected as Kent County Clerk of the Peace

With an overwhelming 89.2 percent of the vote, Kent County Clerk of the Peace Loretta Wootten was re-elected Tuesday night to her third term.

Wootten, a Democrat, finished the night with 44,056 votes compared to her Libertarian opponent Mary Pat McVay who received 5,313 votes, or 10.8 percent.

Upon learning of the election results, Wootten said she felt great about the win. She didn't expect to win by the margin she did.

"I'm grateful to win," Wootten said. "I've been in the job helping the people for quite some time. I think that had a little bit to do with it. I'm really happy."

Clerk of the Peace is a service-oriented position that issues marriage licenses, performs marriages and civil unions, witnesses county documents, attends Levy Court meetings and records the minutes, advertises and posts county ordinances, and countersigns warrants drawn on county funds.

Wootten has been the Clerk of the Peace for Kent County for two terms. She decided to run for a third term because she enjoys people and serving the public. Wootten said the work she does in the office is gratifying.

Banta unopposed for Levy Court

Levy Court President Brooks Banta, of Smyrna, was re-elected to his fifth term for Kent County Levy Court District 1 as he ran unopposed in the race.

Banta, who sits as Levy Court president, ran again because of his love working for the people. His priorities in the next term include the proposed county sports complex in Frederica, finding funds for volunteer fire companies, approval to handle more wastewater, keeping expenses in check, and the Air Cargo Ramp near the Dover Air Force Base.